Most rounds per pound in 5.56?

April 22, 2020, 02:29 PM

Hey all-

If loading in bulk (not for accuracy) what is the most efficient 5.56 (rounds per pound) powder?

I would like to stock up on some plinking bullets and powder.

Thanks!

Bruce

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April 22, 2020, 06:50 PM

rg1

Not worth using a less than optimum powder. Most powders fall into the area of 24-26 grains while the fastest which I don't recommend uses about 20 grains. At 24 grains you get about 291 loads per pound. At 25 grains about 280 and 26 grains 269. Very small savings between 2 grains. Good luck right now finding popular .223 powders and bullets. One thing you can do is to look for the best prices and sales.

April 22, 2020, 09:41 PM

BlackTalonJHP

H335 will be good. The faster powders generally will use less grains per round but you can't go too fast if you're shooting a semi-auto.

H335 starting load is a full 3 grains less than say CFE223 for 55 gr bullets.

April 23, 2020, 09:56 PM

MikeinNC

I’ve used:
Tac
BLC-2
AA2230s
Varget

For 223.... and they all use about the same amount....21-24/25 grains...

I’m down to the last of 16 pounds of AA2230S because I got it dirt cheap at an estate sale....

If I hadn’t put an index card in the box of ammo, I couldn’t tell the difference between them. (I load to M193-55grain FMJ)

When I shoot handguns, I can tell if the powder was Unique though...it smells different from some others I’ve used. Once while qualifying with an off duty weapon (G22 instructor walked up behind me and asked if I was shooting Unique....I played dumb and didn’t admit to shooting reloads for qualification....I only had 50 rounds of Speer gold dots for the 40 Glock I was trying to qual on for off duty. Later he started chuckling and told me he used reloads for all of his qualifications for off duty guns.)

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April 24, 2020, 09:45 AM

sigarmsp226

RN - Want to share with you something that might help - especially right now if you find popular powders mentioned above hard to find.....Reloader 10X is a GREAT 223 powder that can also be used for other rifle rounds. THe reason I mention Reloader 10X is because it is a powder that has been around a long long time and during the last powder run this was one of the powders I consistently found available in my area. Average load will be between 21-23 Grains per round if you are loading the 55 Grain bullet...Just keep this in mind if you struggle to find some of the newer more popular powders. I have been using Reloader 10X for 4 years in my 223 rounds and I am very happy with the results....Mark

April 24, 2020, 11:45 AM

RNshooter

Great information, everyone.

It doesn't seem that the faster powders are that much more efficient. I will try to stock up on the more versatile ones like Varget (hah!) and 4064 but keep an eye out for some of the others mentioned.

Bruce

April 25, 2020, 08:11 AM

sourdough44

Of course common sense that the faster powders calls for lower average charge weights. Generally one uses faster powders with lighter bullets, generally.

The usual number is 7000 grains per lb of powder, so divide the average/planned charge weights into that. Often, 223 loads call for about 25 grains of powder. 7000 divided by 25 is 280.

For casual shooting, cheap bullets, I go with 50-55 Grain choices. Then if one wants to pinch pennies, no need for max pressure. A midlin, or less, charge is fine as long as it reliably cycles. Of course stay inside listed data charge weights.

While at it, snoop around for some free brass. That brass usually lasts longer at lower pressures.

Before you know it, you’re a frugal reloader.

April 27, 2020, 06:21 PM

Oat_Action_Man

Just got 8lbs of CF223 from my shop this afternoon for a price decently cheaper than what I could get online after shipping and hazmat, so I'm gonna run with that for now.

Also picked up another pound of Varget that I will probably run through my AR10. Usually use Varget for my bolt gun loads in .308 and .223.

I'm surprised that my shop was decently stocked on both powder and primers. Powder had a nice variety, but mostly only 1 lb cans. Primers weren't stacked deep, but they had all the varieties.

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April 27, 2020, 10:25 PM

Bisleyblackhawk

Hodgdon 335 or BLC 2...

Ive bought Hodgdon 335 locally for $21.99 per pound + tax over the last few years...(8# tubs...cheaper w/o sales tax along with Hodgdon Universal for pistol powder for $22.99 per pound)...primers are the stopping point here...none available locally...just the European stuff...I'll admit, I left the Wolf and SB primers for others because I'm good on my primers and powder...YMMV

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